Steve Taylor

Making Time

Time - you probably think that you never seem to have enough and would like to be able to slow down its rate of passing. If so then maybe you should take a look at Steve Taylor's book: Making Time: Why Time Seems to Pass at Different Speeds and How to Control it

The book starts by introducing the laws of psychological time. Firstly, time speeds up when our lives start to lack novelty -and in particular when we get older. The second law says that if we do plenty of new things then we will seem to have more time. The third and fourth relate to how absorbed we are in our activities - absorption will mean time passes quickly while tedious activities will drag on. However, there is also a fifth law - in certain circumstances time may seem to pass really slowly. This might happen in an emergency, but is also possible in activities such as sport, when it is known as being in 'The Zone'.

Taylor goes on to describe how meditation may bring on a state of timelessness, and he looks at how other cultures may be less concerned about time. I'm not sure that this is what the readers of this book will be looking for - they are likely to have plenty of concerns about where their time goes - but there is still plenty of helpful advice for such readers on how to make the most of their time.

Amazon.com info

Paperback 272 pages
ISBN: 1848310013
Salesrank: 756559
Weight:0.57 lbs

Published: 2005 Totem Books

Amazon price $13.45

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Amazon.co.uk info

Hardcover 256 pages
ISBN: 1840468262
Salesrank: 238215
Weight:0.88 lbs

Published: 2007 Icon Books Ltd

Marketplace:New from £22.65:Used from £0.86

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Product Description
Why does time seem to speed up as we get older or when we're having fun, or drag when we're bored or anxious? This eye-opening book gives an astounding insight into why our perception of time changes—and how we can take charge of it in our own lives.

Product Description

Why does time seem to speed up as we get older or when we're having fun, or drag when we're bored or anxious? This eye-opening book gives an astounding insight into why our perception of time changes—and how we can take charge of it in our own lives.

Anecdotal, and too wacky for some **
Sadly this book is not written with science in mind. Many of the ideas are 'common sense' (and that is mostly how they are justified as well), and the few 'original' ideas will be a little bit wacky for some. Without judging the views of the author too much, I would just point out that some of them will put certain people off this book. So, one of the key messages of the book is, 'The most important single thing we can do to expand and transcend our sense of time is to regularly meditate.' I don't think it is unfair to suggest that the author argues that this and some of his other ideas to slow down time are more important for living a 'long' life than exercising and eating healthily. The arguments are often backed up by anecdotes. There is even one from David Icke.

Anecdotal, and too wacky for some **

Sadly this book is not written with science in mind. Many of the ideas are 'common sense' (and that is mostly how they are justified as well), and the few 'original' ideas will be a little bit wacky for some. Without judging the views of the author too much, I would just point out that some of them will put certain people off this book. So, one of the key messages of the book is,

'The most important single thing we can do to expand and transcend our sense of time is to regularly meditate.'

I don't think it is unfair to suggest that the author argues that this and some of his other ideas to slow down time are more important for living a 'long' life than exercising and eating healthily. The arguments are often backed up by anecdotes. There is even one from David Icke.

great book *****
This book is useful and insightful because it collates and explains vague ideas that most of us have about time - e.g. that it goes quicker as we get older, and slowly when we're bored. The author goes into detail about why we have these experiences and puts together an overall theory about time perception that makes a great deal of sense. It's true that the book could maybe have been shorter, and more condensed, but I found it an enjoyable and entertaining read, that makes me understand my experience of time much better.

great book *****

This book is useful and insightful because it collates and explains vague ideas that most of us have about time - e.g. that it goes quicker as we get older, and slowly when we're bored. The author goes into detail about why we have these experiences and puts together an overall theory about time perception that makes a great deal of sense. It's true that the book could maybe have been shorter, and more condensed, but I found it an enjoyable and entertaining read, that makes me understand my experience of time much better.

Please read the whole review *
I don't usually waste time writing reviews but felt necessary to do so with this book. And what do I have to say about it...wow! I have never come across a book which has been such a complete waste of time to read! And since this is a book about making time, you can see the irony of it. Some might be taken in by the author, as they may be able to relate to his examples. He'll say things like time seems to fly when you're having fun (i.e watching a good movie, playing video games, sports etc) and time seems to drag when you're bored (i.e doing work, chores etc). Obviously it doesn't take an Einstein to figure that out as you go through life but he'll say to the reader; well, have you noticed how time seems to drag when you're washing the dishes because it's so boring. Some readers will agree and think they're getting something useful from the book and those who are fairly intelligent will realise that this book does not teach you anything new. He repeats the theme of time passes quickly when you are enjoying an activity (absorbed) and slows down when you are bored (not absorbed) throughout the whole book, in different sets of words which became quite annoying as I felt there was so much repitition of this point and other similar points. In some places the author even contradicts himmself, probably without realising. Let me give you an example from the last chapter of the book: "The idea of transforming ourselves in this way might seem far fetched, but in reality it's quite straightforward. At least, the principles are straightforward - actually putting the principles into practice requires a lot of self discipline and effort". Translated to me that says; it seems difficult but is quite straighforward but actually it is difficult. There are a few other similar contradictions scattered throughout the book. There are some interesting bits in the book. The author touches upon the topics of ancient cultures and advanced physics, which helped me get through the book but these topics are so brief it wouldn't be worth buying the book just to read these small passages. The whole book is actually like that, where the author goes on to other topics and then seems to forget the core topic of the book and then just takes you in circles. For example, the author dedicates a whole chapter telling us how non absorbing activities help slow down time, which is fine but then concludes at the end that these activities are dull and boring by nature and you wouldn't want to do them. So why go on about it for a whole chapter, why not just explain that in a paragraph or even a page, why did it take a whole chapter? This book can easily be condensed into about 40-60 pages in my opinion. In summary, this book is probably not worth reading especially if you're attempting to 'make time'. I can sum up the message of the book in one sentence: Meditate as it will help you reach higher states of conciousness where time slows down and eventually you may be able to transcend time.

Please read the whole review *

I don't usually waste time writing reviews but felt necessary to do so with this book. And what do I have to say about it...wow! I have never come across a book which has been such a complete waste of time to read! And since this is a book about making time, you can see the irony of it. Some might be taken in by the author, as they may be able to relate to his examples. He'll say things like time seems to fly when you're having fun (i.e watching a good movie, playing video games, sports etc) and time seems to drag when you're bored (i.e doing work, chores etc). Obviously it doesn't take an Einstein to figure that out as you go through life but he'll say to the reader; well, have you noticed how time seems to drag when you're washing the dishes because it's so boring. Some readers will agree and think they're getting something useful from the book and those who are fairly intelligent will realise that this book does not teach you anything new.

He repeats the theme of time passes quickly when you are enjoying an activity (absorbed) and slows down when you are bored (not absorbed) throughout the whole book, in different sets of words which became quite annoying as I felt there was so much repitition of this point and other similar points. In some places the author even contradicts himmself, probably without realising. Let me give you an example from the last chapter of the book: "The idea of transforming ourselves in this way might seem far fetched, but in reality it's quite straightforward. At least, the principles are straightforward - actually putting the principles into practice requires a lot of self discipline and effort". Translated to me that says; it seems difficult but is quite straighforward but actually it is difficult. There are a few other similar contradictions scattered throughout the book.

There are some interesting bits in the book. The author touches upon the topics of ancient cultures and advanced physics, which helped me get through the book but these topics are so brief it wouldn't be worth buying the book just to read these small passages. The whole book is actually like that, where the author goes on to other topics and then seems to forget the core topic of the book and then just takes you in circles. For example, the author dedicates a whole chapter telling us how non absorbing activities help slow down time, which is fine but then concludes at the end that these activities are dull and boring by nature and you wouldn't want to do them. So why go on about it for a whole chapter, why not just explain that in a paragraph or even a page, why did it take a whole chapter? This book can easily be condensed into about 40-60 pages in my opinion.

In summary, this book is probably not worth reading especially if you're attempting to 'make time'. I can sum up the message of the book in one sentence: Meditate as it will help you reach higher states of conciousness where time slows down and eventually you may be able to transcend time.

stimulating and insightful *****
I really enjoyed this book, and found it really helpful. It clarified a lot of my own thoughts, and was full of amazing insights into the different speeds at which time seems to pass. And even though some of the ideas are quite challenging, the book is always energetic and well written. It's a great writer who can communicate complex ideas and never lose the reader's interest.

stimulating and insightful *****

I really enjoyed this book, and found it really helpful. It clarified a lot of my own thoughts, and was full of amazing insights into the different speeds at which time seems to pass. And even though some of the ideas are quite challenging, the book is always energetic and well written. It's a great writer who can communicate complex ideas and never lose the reader's interest.

A self help book, not a science book **
This time perception book is written as a 'personal development' book, not a science book. It's very perky, anecdotal and full off "Hey, we all agree on that don't we!" kind of buddy-buddy writing. The points made are standard stuff (break routines, use new experiences as time markers, engrossing yourself means loss of time senses etc), but there's very little research and evidence beyond the author's own anecdotes - in some cases he even admits they're 'friend-of-a-friend' stories. In short, the author's recommendations for experiencing time are to meditate and move to a different country regularly. As a book about time perception, it'll do. But there are much better books out there with more facts and fewer personal judgements. For example Time: A User's Guide

A self help book, not a science book **

This time perception book is written as a 'personal development' book, not a science book. It's very perky, anecdotal and full off "Hey, we all agree on that don't we!" kind of buddy-buddy writing.

The points made are standard stuff (break routines, use new experiences as time markers, engrossing yourself means loss of time senses etc), but there's very little research and evidence beyond the author's own anecdotes - in some cases he even admits they're 'friend-of-a-friend' stories. In short, the author's recommendations for experiencing time are to meditate and move to a different country regularly.

As a book about time perception, it'll do. But there are much better books out there with more facts and fewer personal judgements. For example Time: A User's Guide